Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 521 - 521 522 Not Going to Let It Go Like This_1

Chapter 521: Chapter 522: Not Going to Let It Go Like This_1 Chapter 521: Chapter 522: Not Going to Let It Go Like This_1 Yu Ze rushed back quickly, too, but Jian Yue’s visit was so abrupt that he was caught off guard. Thankfully, Muniang was clever enough not to confront her directly, otherwise he would have been in a difficult position.

Filled with anger, Jian Yue softened somewhat seeing the two adorable children, but they seemed a bit shy, reaching out for Muniang’s embrace.

Muniang had no choice but to pick up one of them and coax, “Granny is here, Granny loves Xiaohua and Xiaobai so much, why won’t you let her hug you? Be good, don’t make your mother unhappy.”

The child seemed to have a sense and stopped making a fuss after Muniang’s coaxing. Muniang then passed the child to Jian Yue’s arms, “Mother, have a hold.”

Although Jian Yue was not too pleased that the children were more attached to Muniang than to herself, she could tell from their reliance on Muniang that she must have put a lot of effort into caring for them. She didn’t seem to be the immoral person Steward Chen had described her to be.

When Yu Ze came back, he saw Jian Yue playing with the children. Muniang noticed Yu Ze’s arrival but pretended not to see, especially with Jian Yue being there.

“Mother, why didn’t you tell me in advance that you were coming? I would have prepared everything well in advance,” Yu Ze said upon entering.

Jian Yue looked at Yu Ze with dissatisfaction, “Prepared what? Prepared for your wife to fool me, to present herself as the virtuous and good wife to avoid being exposed by me?”

Yu Ze’s face darkened, but seeing that Muniang was not upset, he felt somewhat relieved.

Jian Yue handed the child over to the nanny before saying, “Come with me, we need to talk privately.”

Yu Ze had wanted to speak to Muniang, but she glared at him, signaling him to go quickly, so he followed Jian Yue out.

Muniang was no fool, she knew better than to act too familiarly with Yu Ze in the presence of Jian Yue at such a time. Such behavior would have only made Jian Yue more repulsed.

In this era, she tried to understand the values of the time, but now confronted with a conflict, she found herself in a difficult position.

Jian Yue’s private conversation with Yu Ze was likely filled with moral lectures, as she had no tolerance for women who unabashedly engaged in business and failed to follow the conduct of a proper lady.

“When you told me she came from a humble background, did I say anything? I was just happy that you wanted to marry a girl, I was truly pleased for you. But look at the situation now, what has it come to? A woman doing business out there, is it that you cannot provide for her? You’ve been too indulgent with her, she doesn’t know her limits, how could you accept such a daughter-in-law? If I had known this would happen, I would have arranged the marriage with Suxue much earlier. Although that child might not be the best, she’s surely more reliable than Qiao Muniang!”

Yu Ze replied calmly, “Mother, you know well that I would not have married He Suxue, so please, spare a few words.”

Jian Yue instantly became furious, “Are you still defending Qiao Muniang in front of me? What’s wrong with Suxue? She’s in this state now because of you, because of Qiao Muniang. Otherwise, would that child have ended up so pitiful?”

Yu Ze met Jian Yue’s gaze directly, “It was her own doing, what does Mother know of what she’s done? Don’t compare her with Muniang. I was on the front lines risking my life, and He Suxue was busy spreading rumors implying that I was interested in her, which everyone on the front knew. In contrast, Muniang risked her life to find an antidote to save me. Please, Mother, do not question my judgment. Muniang is not arrogant from indulgence, and now that she’s already the daughter-in-law of Marquis Chen Mansion, I ask you not to bring up past issues.”

Jian Yue was shocked to hear Yu Ze’s words, as she had never known the hardships her son faced at the frontier. Hearing about them now, she naturally felt upset.

“But a woman being so publicly visible is ultimately not good…”

“Muniang, if you truly were the kind of woman who’s content with just staying in this estate, I, Yu Ze, wouldn’t have looked your way,” Yu Ze interrupted Jian Yue without hesitation.

Jian Yue gritted her teeth and glared at Yu Ze. Whatever she said seemed to bounce right off him, but it was indeed the truth. Yu Ze was never keen on marriage to begin with; otherwise, he wouldn’t have waited until twenty-five to take a wife. Which young master in the capital wasn’t married to his principal wife by sixteen?

It was not easy for him to take a liking to any girl, but unfortunately, the one he did like was someone she was so dissatisfied with.

Knowing Jian Yue was visiting, Muniang personally went into the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous meal. After all, one had to please the mother-in-law, as she was her husband’s mother. If they became enemies, life would likely not be easy.

Jian Yue tasted Muniang’s cooking and was somewhat surprised, which did provide her a bit of comfort.

“These are the names your father chose for the two children. Take a look,” Jian Yue said as she passed a slip of paper to Yu Ze. Upon unfolding it, Yu Ze saw the names, Yu Lichuan and Yu Junxin – indeed, good names.

“Your father’s intention is, if you can’t take proper care of these children, then we should take them back.”

Muniang’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned to Yu Ze, only to hear him say firmly, “Impossible, how can children not be raised by their own parents?”

“If you were even slightly reliable as parents, I wouldn’t be so concerned,” Jian Yue said and glanced at Muniang, clearly blaming her.

“His Majesty placed me here so that he could have peace of mind. If my sons were to enter the capital, His Majesty would undoubtedly be uneasy. Mother, it’s best not to cause unnecessary trouble with Marquis Chen Mansion.”

Jian Yue glared at him but said nothing more.

Since Jian Yue had been around these days, Muniang dared not step out of the house and even handed over matters at Mei Garden to Zhong Yulang, making it clear that no one was to come looking.

Fortunately, Jian Yue didn’t plan to stay long, as it was already somewhat unorthodox for her to be there according to rituals. Just as Muniang was about to rejoice at her impending freedom, Jian Yue poured cold water over her plans.

“I know Ze’er likes your nature, and I won’t say much more. But as a woman, you must adhere to the virtue expected of you. You’ve been too wild, growing up in the countryside. I’ve brought some stewardesses this time, specifically to manage the household for you and to assist you so you can at least remember the basic rules. I’m also leaving some maids with you – don’t do anything too outrageous. If you do, it will be easier to discuss.”

During the conversation, Jian Yue gestured, and a stern-looking older woman stepped forward. She bowed to Muniang and said, “This servant greets the Princess.”

Though her tone was respectful, it carried more of an air of repression.

Muniang forced a smile, knowing that Jian Yue wouldn’t leave it at just one visit. No matter how angry she was inside, she had to endure it. After all, they were just a few servants; couldn’t she handle them?

“Indeed, I’m indebted to you, Mother.”